According to the BBC, Newcastle are interested in signing Genk goal-machine Mbwana Samatta.
Ian Dennis claims that West Ham are also keen on the striker, reporting that a ‘£10m release-clause’ is believed to exist in his current contract – meaning he could be snapped up at a bargain fee in the new year.
The 26-year-old scored his 8th goal of the season at Anfield on Tuesday night, heading home in their 2-1 Champions League defeat to Liverpool.
This comes after his incredibly prolific season in the Belgian League, with the Tanzanian hitman bagging an outstanding 32 goals and 6 assists over Genk’s 2018/19 campaign – which featured 9 goals in 12 Europa League appearances.
The fact he turns 27 in December means he’s probably on the border of Mike Ashley’s strict transfer blue print when it comes to age, however a £10m deal is likely to appeal given how much he would normally cost in this day and age after 18 months of non-stop scoring.
Interestingly, Sky Sports briefly credited us with an interest in the 6ft forward over the summer, but nothing came of it.
Considering we’re unlikely to spend big in January but need another goalscoring option to take the pressure off Joelinton, this could have legs – especially at such a bargain price.